e-learning 2.0
February 3rd 2009 21:35
E-learning has been around for at least a decade. Traditionally e-learning has either complemented existing classroom teaching by means of a Learning Management System such as Blackboard or WebCT, or in the case of online learning, it has been the delivery method itself.
With online learning everything from the delivery of course material to testing and grading is done by means of the online learning system. The structure of a course and the way that it is taught still remains pretty much the same with the main difference being that here there are no live classes, so classes / lectures have to be delivered through some online mechanism (ex: video streaming).
As such there has been no emphasis on utilizing the characteristics of the Web (things which are not possible in a real classroom, such as connectivity through hyper-links) to enable learning. Email, user forums, online test taking etc. have been used but full potential of the Web has not been realized.
This may be considered as e-learning 1.0.
Some of the things that make Web 2.0 what it is, are the things which make Web 2.0 attractive for e-learning purposes. Essentially the concepts of interactivity (between the user and web-based content) and interconnectivity (between various web-based content) are what specifically characterize Web 2.0.
A considerable amount of user generated information or content is also a hallmark of all things Web 2.0, the concept that a web site or say a web space is a comfortable environment that facilitates communication between users and therefore fosters information exchange.
The website needs to be able to maintain that information and make it accessible to a large number of users. Blogging, Social Networking, Wikis and file sharing then are essential Web 2.0 applications that make it suitable for e-learning. E-learning 2.0 is the term used to describe this new generation of e-learning solutions.
e-learning 2.0 as an aid to traditional learning
The first thing to consider is of course to see how e-learning 2.0 can be beneficial to traditional learning. In the foreseeable future a significant application of online learning is still going to be as an addition to traditional learning.
Already several instructors in colleges and schools alike are relying on Web 2.0 applications as learning aids. Blogging is a way for not only the instructor to make additional information available to students but also provides an opportunity for the instructor, through student blogging to observe student thinking and development (ex: a journal format).
Blogging also enables students to exchange thoughts and opinions with classmates in a more effective manner. Similarly, Wikis can be an information resource for the course, which can expand as the course progresses with instructor and student input. Moreover, these resources can continue to build upon themselves in subsequent semesters (for continuing courses, or for future repeats of the same course).
File sharing functions as a way for the instructor to deliver important files with students and vice versa. As opposed to an LMS a more open and free environment for file sharing can be established using Web 2.0 tools. Podcasting already is a popular means of delivering lectures and presentations.
The ubiquity of the iPod has made it a viable e-learning platform. Finally, Social Networking enables a class to stay in touch at all times, including the instructor. Elgg.org (http://www.elgg.org) is a social network specifically geared towards education and Ning (http://education.ning.com/) is increasingly being used as a social networking framework for education purposes .
e-learning 2.0 as a standalone e-learning environment
Obviously the things discussed in the previous section apply equally well to a standalone e-learning environment. Other Web 2.0 utilities such as calendars (shared or otherwise), office productivity suites and collaborative tools (document, spreadsheet editing etc.), classroom organizers, grading software etc. are also applicable to any e-learning environment (with a standalone system these are absolutely critical to maintain synchronization between the instructor and students).
When we begin considering the growth and development of educator / instructor networksi we are gradually moving into an environment that super cedes a traditional learning environment. The collaboration and information exchange possible here is resulting in a whole new learning environment.
Students can now rightfully be remotely located without losing out on the educational experience, because in a standalone e-learning environment all learning delivery is online.
The use of Virtual Worlds such as Second Life has given rise to a new Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) which is certainly more beneficial to a pure e-learning environment where its use is essential.
There is a gradual push towards the creation of learning communities rather than information dissemination coming from an authority figure (the instructor) to his / her subjects (the students). In this sense, the move to e-learning 2.0 is very much a pedagogical shift as it is technological.
If you would like to read more about Web 2.0 and its influence and how to build your own Web 2.0 enabled site, visit The Web 2.0 Blog - That Web 2.0 Thing...
With online learning everything from the delivery of course material to testing and grading is done by means of the online learning system. The structure of a course and the way that it is taught still remains pretty much the same with the main difference being that here there are no live classes, so classes / lectures have to be delivered through some online mechanism (ex: video streaming).
As such there has been no emphasis on utilizing the characteristics of the Web (things which are not possible in a real classroom, such as connectivity through hyper-links) to enable learning. Email, user forums, online test taking etc. have been used but full potential of the Web has not been realized.
This may be considered as e-learning 1.0.
Some of the things that make Web 2.0 what it is, are the things which make Web 2.0 attractive for e-learning purposes. Essentially the concepts of interactivity (between the user and web-based content) and interconnectivity (between various web-based content) are what specifically characterize Web 2.0.
A considerable amount of user generated information or content is also a hallmark of all things Web 2.0, the concept that a web site or say a web space is a comfortable environment that facilitates communication between users and therefore fosters information exchange.
The website needs to be able to maintain that information and make it accessible to a large number of users. Blogging, Social Networking, Wikis and file sharing then are essential Web 2.0 applications that make it suitable for e-learning. E-learning 2.0 is the term used to describe this new generation of e-learning solutions.
e-learning 2.0 as an aid to traditional learning
The first thing to consider is of course to see how e-learning 2.0 can be beneficial to traditional learning. In the foreseeable future a significant application of online learning is still going to be as an addition to traditional learning.
Already several instructors in colleges and schools alike are relying on Web 2.0 applications as learning aids. Blogging is a way for not only the instructor to make additional information available to students but also provides an opportunity for the instructor, through student blogging to observe student thinking and development (ex: a journal format).
Blogging also enables students to exchange thoughts and opinions with classmates in a more effective manner. Similarly, Wikis can be an information resource for the course, which can expand as the course progresses with instructor and student input. Moreover, these resources can continue to build upon themselves in subsequent semesters (for continuing courses, or for future repeats of the same course).
File sharing functions as a way for the instructor to deliver important files with students and vice versa. As opposed to an LMS a more open and free environment for file sharing can be established using Web 2.0 tools. Podcasting already is a popular means of delivering lectures and presentations.
The ubiquity of the iPod has made it a viable e-learning platform. Finally, Social Networking enables a class to stay in touch at all times, including the instructor. Elgg.org (http://www.elgg.org) is a social network specifically geared towards education and Ning (http://education.ning.com/) is increasingly being used as a social networking framework for education purposes .
e-learning 2.0 as a standalone e-learning environment
Obviously the things discussed in the previous section apply equally well to a standalone e-learning environment. Other Web 2.0 utilities such as calendars (shared or otherwise), office productivity suites and collaborative tools (document, spreadsheet editing etc.), classroom organizers, grading software etc. are also applicable to any e-learning environment (with a standalone system these are absolutely critical to maintain synchronization between the instructor and students).
When we begin considering the growth and development of educator / instructor networksi we are gradually moving into an environment that super cedes a traditional learning environment. The collaboration and information exchange possible here is resulting in a whole new learning environment.
Students can now rightfully be remotely located without losing out on the educational experience, because in a standalone e-learning environment all learning delivery is online.
The use of Virtual Worlds such as Second Life has given rise to a new Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) which is certainly more beneficial to a pure e-learning environment where its use is essential.
There is a gradual push towards the creation of learning communities rather than information dissemination coming from an authority figure (the instructor) to his / her subjects (the students). In this sense, the move to e-learning 2.0 is very much a pedagogical shift as it is technological.
If you would like to read more about Web 2.0 and its influence and how to build your own Web 2.0 enabled site, visit The Web 2.0 Blog - That Web 2.0 Thing...
| 70 |
| Vote |
Add Comments
